Provides you all the access to the natural wonders that the country has to offer! A tropical country with a long coastline and with more than 7,107 islands, the Philippines offers a wide selection of beaches and islands around its archipelago.

DAVAO

Davao is know for the Philippine Eagle Center(PEC), the first of its kind, and the only one of its kind in the world. The center is world renowned because of its success in the captive breeding of the endangered Monkey eating Eagle or better know as the Philippine Eagle.

Endowed with variety of picturesque landscapes, Davao’s topography dazzles: fruit plantations and orchid farms couple with mantle volcano- fed hills and valleys; its virgin forests nurture rare wildlife. It has an enchanting brilliant tapestry of harmony, woven from the diverse cultural threads of its people. In Davao, the contemporary fuses with the traditional as migrant settlers from all over the country co- exist in peace with a fairly large expatriate community and numerous ethnic tribes who continue to live as they did centuries ago.

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GETTING THERE

By Air - Davao is accessible by air thru the Davao International Airport. Two (2) international airlines are servicing Davao, namely Shriwijaya for the Davao-Indonesia-Davao route and SilkAir for the Davao-Singapore-Davao via Cebu route. Asian Spirit also services the Davao-Palau-Davao route thrice a week. From Manila, you can take direct flights of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific or Air Philippines. Flying time is approximately one hour and 35 minutes. From Cebu, Davao is 55 minutes away. One can also fly to Davao from Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga City.

By Sea - Davao is also accessible by commercial/passenger vessels thru the Sasa Wharf.

By Sea & Land - One can also take the longer but infinitely more exciting inland route thru the Maharlika Highway from Manila. The 2-day route runs through several provinces in Southern Luzon, a ferry transfer from Matnog, Sorsogon to Catarman, Samar, through Leyte and another ferry transfer from Maasin, Leyte to Surigao City in Surigao Province, and through the cities of Butuan, Gingoog and Cagayan de Oro.

GETTING AROUND The simplest way to get around Davao City is by hopping on a taxi. Alternatively, if you opt for more adventure, then do as the locals and catch a colorful jeepney. Another alternative ride aside from the jeepneys and taxis, is to rent a car. There are many cars for rent available in the city. Buses are also available but these tend to ply exclusively along the north-south route and going out and in the city area. A new mode of transportation around Davao Gulf is through a water taxi. Water Taxis service the daily commuters and visitors of Davao City, Samal Island, and other Neighbouring Coastal Municipalities around Davao Gulf.

Araw ng Dabaw (Held every March 16 - A week-long celebration of the founding of the city with a socio-civic and military parade, sports competitions, andfireworks.)

Kadayawan Festival (Held every 3rd week of August - A weeklong celebration and thanksgivingfor nature's bountiful harvest. Celebrated annually every third week of August. The activity coincides with the harvest time of Davaoeños exotic fruits and the blooming of the waling-waling (vanda sanderana).)

Pasko Fiesta (Held for the entire month of December - Pasko Fiesta sa Davao is an integration of festive and competitive Christmas activities.)

Chinese New Year FEstival (Based on the Lunar calendar - The Davao Chinese New Year festival celebrates the harmonious relations of the locals with the city's Chinese community as it promotes the development of the Chinatown.)

Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Cake Festival (Held every 15th day of the 8th month in the Lunar Calendar - The middle of the 8th month of the Chinese calendar the moon is in its fullest and roundest and 8 is a popular number in Chinese culture, symbolizing wealth and prosperity.)

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

The largest city in the Philippines is Davao City. With an area of 2,211 sq. km., it is about three times the size of the national capital, Metro Manila.

Davao City is known for the scenic and majestic Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the country at 10, 311 feet above the sea level.

Davao City is called the “DURIAN CITY OF THE COUNTRY”, as this exotic fruit only grows in the province.

Mt. Apo, the Philippines highest mountain at 10,311 feet above sea level, and considered as the “Grand-father of all Philippine Mountains”

Compostela Valley is known to be laden with gold, thus earning the monicker “Golden Valley of Mindanao”.

BEST TIME TO TRAVELSummer time is among the best period to head to Davao. It is said to be “typhoon-free” but it cannot escape rainfalls though they are not really as bad as the rest of the regions. It is advisable to visit the city during cold seasons if you prefer the cool breeze over sweaty sightseeing. Moreover, if you would like to experience how Dabawenyos celebrate their festivals, you might want to go there around the 3rd week of August as this is when they have a week-long celebration for the Kadayawan Festival.